Last week I requested an honest performance from the lads. I certainly got it. The 'x-factor' was also back with a vengeance - so much so that it was enough to send the team to a historic first league victory despite being a man down for most of the match, due to my controversial 10th minute dismissal.

Despite the fact that title aspirations had long since evaporated, it was clear from the atmosphere in the changing rooms that Lancaster were in no mood to be rolled over again.

14 nil up after 10 minutes, Lancaster were showing the kind of steely determination necessary to comfortably record their first victory.

Then came perhaps the most controversial incident of the season. A small scuffle on the floor led to myself being sent off and Keith Hartlebury, who would have been captain in my absence, sent to the sin-bin.

Now, I didn't hit, kick or swear at anyone. The initial scuffle didn't involve me - my only involvement was to pull players apart in a calm and collected fashion.

The ref's explanation was that I came in with my feet. If that happened at all, it certainly wasn't me. Even the Liverpool players (the captain I believe) remarked, "That was harsh".

Did it warrant a red card? I obviously didn't think so, even though the ref could technically be justified in that I "joined" a scuffle (by pulling players apart!).

In my capacity as captain, I would imagine I am justified in separating players to minimize confrontations and calm heated situations. Those who know me were amazed at the card. However, the Ref thought otherwise, and that's the opinion that counts.

Sometimes in the brutal theatre that is rugby league the stage becomes open, and a hero steps forward into the lead role. From the smoke of a bout of handbags-at-ten-paces, rose a champion and his name was Dave McVernon. Dave, thrust into the captaincy role responded the injustice of my dismissal and Keith's sin-bin, and responded with a physical soliloquy. The green fields of Lancaster University were his globe, ably assisted by a supporting cast of Lee Harvey, Shaun Humphries and Liam Hall. Greg Sykes directed the show from half back, scoring a fine try to bring the scores level. Stand-in captain Dave McVernon then hammered the final nail into the Liverpool coffin by scoring the winning try. The entire Lancaster team produced an encore performance in defence to ensure the victory was theirs in the final act.

On Saturday we play Blackpool Sea Eagles. Last week Carlisle hammered Blackpool by a margin that made our 45-point loss to them seem first-rate in comparison. In theory the form guide points to a Lancaster victory, but in sport things are never that simple. I don't imagine complacency in the Lancaster team will be a problem. Kick off 2.30 pm, at Blackpool RUFC.